Brushes are considered the most mobile part of the human body. Thanks to the large change in range of motion, it is possible to get the finest work done with the smallest details. That is why it is important to keep your hands healthy at all times. Today, many people, including the younger generation, complain of pain in the finger joints. In some cases, it becomes so strong that a person literally loses the ability to perform usual movements.
General information
The human hand can be divided into three distinct sections: the wrist, the wrist, and the fingers. The metacarpus is made up of eight tiny, irregularly shaped bones. They are all arranged in two rows. The metacarpus is represented by five tubular bones, each of which has a base, body, and head. The bases connect to the wrist and the heads form joints with the phalanges of the fingers. The latter, in turn, consists of three phalanges. The exception in this case is the thumb. It has only two phalanges.
Human hands are considered extremely delicate and at the same time precise instruments. The fingers are precisely the means that allow coordinated movements. Without them, normal life is not possible. All these movements are due to joint mobility. However, due to the high daily activity, this area is at great risk of developing completely different ailments, mechanical damage and injuries. Joint pain in the fingers, as a rule, accompanies such pathological changes. Treatment in this case depends solely on the factor that provoked the appearance of discomfort.
Main reasons
According to experts, finger joint pain can be due to a wide variety of reasons. The following are the most common violations:
- Arthritis.
- Osteoarthritis.
- Bursitis.
- Mechanical damage and injury.
- Osteomyelitis.
Arthritis
Arthritis refers to acute or chronic joint inflammation. Isolated finger injuries are very rare. As a rule, in such patients, the pathological process also affects other joints. Arthritic pain in the affected area is marked by intensity. They arise not only with the movement of the fingers, but also at rest. In addition, in areas affected by arthritis, severe edema appears, a change in the usual skin tone.
- Rheumatoid arthritis. This is a connective tissue disease of an infectious and allergic nature, which is predominantly systemic in nature. The impetus for the onset of this ailment is severe colds, frequent stress, and hypothermia. Rheumatoid arthritis begins with pain in the index finger joint. The affected areas swell, patients complain of fever, feeling weak, chills.
- Psoriasic arthritis. As a general rule, this type of pathology develops in those patients who already have psoriatic manifestations on the skin. These are dry, scaly patches with a reddish tinge. With the development of the disease, the finger acquires a purple hue and a sausage shape.
- Gout Arthritis. Gout is understood as a fairly common disease characterized by metabolic disorders, namely purines. According to experts, such a condition can be triggered by an increase in the level of uric acid and the subsequent deposition of its salts directly in the joint tissues. Usually, a gout attack begins with severe discomfort in the big toe joint. In the absence of timely treatment, the pathology spreads to other joints. Gout attacks occur most often at night. They are characterized by an increase in temperature around the affected area and severe pain. The disease progresses very quickly. After some time, the patient may find pain in the finger joints of both hands. Typically, the duration of a typical attack of the disease ranges from two to about 14 days.
Osteoarthritis
This disease is formed as a result of the sequential destruction of cartilage tissue in the area of the articular surface. In the case of this pathology, painful discomfort initially occurs only after prolonged physical exertion. Then, with the progression of the disease, the intensity of pain increases, it can appear even at night.
Osteoarthritis of the fingers is a fairly common problem. Even insignificant damage can become a boost for its development. In the process of development of the disease, the fingers can change their usual shape, while tilting to the side.
Rhizarthrosis. With the development of this disease, the joint located at the base of the thumb is affected, which also connects the wrist bone with the metacarpal bone. This ailment occurs due to the overload of this area. Pain in the thumb joint, visual deformity of the bones are the most common symptoms of this pathology.
Bursitis
The inflammation of the so-called articular bags of the fingers, accompanied by the accumulation of fluid in their cavity, is called bursitis. This pathology is characterized by painful sensations in the affected area, the appearance of edema, redness. The main symptom of bursitis is the formation of a round swelling in the joint area, which is characterized by a soft consistency. It is easily identifiable visually.
With a long course, bursitis often turns into a chronic stage. In these types of situations, the deposit of salts in the affected area adds to the inflammatory process. All this, as a rule, provokes pain in the joints of the fingers.
If the cause of the problem is an injury to the hand, the pathological microflora often joins the inflammatory process. In this case, we are talking about the development of purulent bursitis. It is accompanied by a rise in temperature, headache, and weakness throughout the body.
Injury and mechanical damage
Displacement of the bones in the joints is called a dislocation. Most of the time athletes have to deal with this problem. It is accompanied by the following symptoms: severe swelling of the affected area, joint deformity and severe pain syndrome.
The most common injury is a dislocated thumb. Such a distant disposition exposes him every time to any wrong movement. However, the thumb is characterized by a powerful ligamentous apparatus and is distinguished by a certain threshold load, after exceeding the stretch. All this entails a displacement of the articular surfaces.
The most common cause of thumb dislocation is an unfortunate fall on an open palm. It is very easy to determine the presence of this problem, since the externally affected area looks deformed. Severe pain in the thumb joint can interfere with normal activities, work, and sports. The skin in this part, as a rule, acquires a reddish tint.
Osteomyelitis
A purulent process that affects the joints and nearby soft tissues is called osteomyelitis. This pathology develops due to the penetration of bacteria into the body, constantly producing pus.
Acute osteomyelitis usually begins with a temperature rise of up to 40 degrees. The patient's condition deteriorates very quickly, which is caused by severe intoxication of the body. In addition, the patient may experience the following symptoms: joint pain in the fingers, chills, loss of consciousness, vomiting.
During the first two days, the pain in the hands gradually increases. Active finger movements are often impossible. The pathology progresses rapidly, which is expressed in the appearance of edematous phenomena in the muscles of the hand and even in the forearm. The skin in the affected area turns purple.
Diagnosis
Timely seek the advice of a specialist, competent diagnosis and treatment - all these factors make it possible to determine the disease and prevent its further progression, the development of serious complications. You should not ignore the pain in the finger joints, as even a minor pathology can lead to a complete loss of movement and render the patient disabled. The following diagnostic measures may be required to identify the problem:
- X-ray of the hand.
- Blood tests (clinical / biochemical) and urinalysis.
- Determination of the amount of purines.
What should be the treatment for pain in the finger joints?
Regardless of the true cause of the pathology, therapy must be comprehensive and simultaneously solve three problems: treatment of the main disease, restoration of the main function of the hand, and pain relief.
Of course, the fight against this or that ailment depends on its nature. In each case, the doctor prescribes the appropriate treatment. However, the relief of hand discomfort and its functional development are subject to general rules.
To alleviate discomfort, modern medicine offers a variety of medications. Most often, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed.
To eliminate pain due to autoimmune diseases (eg rheumatoid arthritis), glucocorticosteroid hormones are used. They have excellent anti-inflammatory effects and provide the desired relief relatively quickly.
Special ointments that contain anesthetic components can slightly enhance the effect of drugs.
conclusion
In conclusion, it should be noted that finger joint pain should not be ignored. The treatment offered by modern medicine is usually effective in combating this problem. The main thing is to seek medical help in a timely manner and undergo the necessary diagnostic examination. Be healthy!